]]>It’s shaping up to be an Avengers kind of spring. A major motion picture will be accompanied by a new #1 issue of The Avengers, bringing the classic “big three” heroes back together.

Assemble

It’s been a little while, but Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor are back together again. Marvel’s “Fresh Start” (or whatever it’s called) era is getting ready to roll with classic heroes and apparently some classic team-ups.

Team books are plenty of fun, not to mention comic staples. I really (really) want to see a Fantastic Four revival, and I am digging some of what the publisher is doing with X-Men right now. On the other hand, I was never all that big of an Avengers fan. But still, I have to admit that it’s pretty great to see the makings of a great team here.

Ghost Rider aside, because I don’t think he fits the team at all, this is a star lineup. She-Hulk (who they’re still calling “Hulk” for some reason), Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and Doctor Strange round out the lineup, with the big three at the top.

That’s some good stuff right there, and it’s going to get Marvel celebrating once again.

Along with Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes), Hulk (Jennifer Walters) and Doctor Strange, AVENGERS #1 will reunite the powerful Big Three, as Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man work together to save the world from one of their most powerful enemies yet: the 2000-foot-tall space gods known as the Dark Celestials!

As the Avengers invade pop culture in their theatrical release just prior to the debut of AVENGERS #1, Marvel will partner with participating retail stores to hostAVENGERS #1 LAUNCH PARTIES. Retailers should be advised to increase their orders to meet the high demand for AVENGERS #1, which will be supported by a robust marketing campaign including web banner promotion, promotions on Marvel & retailer social media, a Marvel Insider purchase incentive program with ways to earn points and get rewards through print purchases, a prominent feature in Comic Shop News out on April 25th…and Marvel is working on a nationwide television spot, and more!

In addition, fans and retailers will be able to get their hands on MARVEL UNIVERSE, a FREE magazine containing comic previews, articles on all of Marvel’s exciting new #1s such as Avengers, Tony Stark: Iron Man, Spider-Man, Immortal Hulk and more, behind-the-scenes content and concept art, and spotlights on Marvel’s 2018 Young Guns. Parties will also feature promotional items including FIGHT AS ONE character lithos featuring renditions of the new Avengers team drawn by celebrated 2018 Young Gun Pepe Larraz, special variant party covers by Greg Land, as well as the following FREE variants:

AVENGERS #1 BLANK VARIANT (MAR180782)

AVENGERS #1 KUDER YOUNG GUN VARIANT (MAR180781)

AVENGERS #1 LAND PARTY VARIANT (MAR180779)

AVENGERS #1 MCGUINNESS VIRGIN VARIANT (MAR180777)

AVENGERS #1 RIBIC VARIANT (MAR180778)

AVENGERS #1 MCGUINNESS PREMIERE VARIANT (MAR180780)

And don’t forget to stop by your local comic shop on May 5th to pick up your copy of FREE COMIC BOOK DAY AVENGERS #1, the prelude to the groundbreaking first issue!

]]>http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/16/the-avengers-get-brand-new-fresh-start-this-may/feed/0The Hunt for Wolverine begins next monthhttp://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/16/the-hunt-for-wolverine-begins-next-month/
http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/16/the-hunt-for-wolverine-begins-next-month/#respondFri, 16 Mar 2018 21:01:51 +0000http://brutalgamer.com/?p=128576Two lead-ins, a kickoff issue, and then a four part series (each with its own theme) will segue into what looks like the official return of Wolverine to the Marvel Universe. The best there is We all know by now that Logan, the real one, is back. Freed from his adamantium prison, presumably via the …

]]>Two lead-ins, a kickoff issue, and then a four part series (each with its own theme) will segue into what looks like the official return of Wolverine to the Marvel Universe.

The best there is

We all know by now that Logan, the real one, is back. Freed from his adamantium prison, presumably via the Infinity Stone he’s carrying, Wolverine has been skulking around behind the scenes in the Marvel U. He’s been showing up in “after credits” scenes in some comics from the publisher. When you add all the extra scenes up, they tell one story.

But that’s not the actual story of Wolvie’s return. Nope, not by a long shot, since there’s a whole “Hunt” mini-event starting up. Technically it started already, in the pages of Marvel Legacy, and then continued in the just-released Infinity Countdown.

That’s kind of the lead-in though, since the main even starts next month.

Logan’s return was just the beginning – the opening chapter of a story that will touch all corners and all characters of the Marvel Universe! Dive into all the excitement in the HUNT FOR WOLVERINE one-shot this April, and then be sure to follow all of the action with WEAPON LOST, ADAMANTIUM AGENDA, CLAWS OF A KILLER and MYSTERY IN MADRIPOOR.

Featuring thrills and chills for all X-Men fans as Wolverine’s past comes back to haunt all our merry mutants, each unique story harkens back to their old school adventures – with each featuring a different shocking X-Men moment that no fan will want to miss!

The last issue of Hunt for Wolverine is still an all-around mystery, with no clues from Marvel as to what it’ll entail. I assume it’s the full on return of Logan, but you never know.

Here’s the official rundown of the four one-shots and kickoff issue:

HUNT FOR WOLVERINE #1
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by DAVID MARQUEZ
Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
On Sale 4/25/18

HUNT FOR WOLVERINE: WEAPON LOST (#1-4)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by MATTEO BUFFAGNI
Cover by GREG LAND
On Sale 5/2/18

HUNT FOR WOLVERINE: ADAMANTIUM AGENDA (#1-4)
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by R.B. SILVA
Cover by GREG LAND
On Sale 5/9/18

HUNT FOR WOLVERINE: CLAWS OF A KILLER (#1-4)
Written by MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by BUTCH GUICE
Cover by GREG LAND
On Sale 5/16/18

HUNT FOR WOLVERINE: MYSTERY IN MADRIPOOR (#1-4)
Written by JIM ZUB
Art by THONY SILAS
Cover by GREG LAND
On Sale 5/23/18

Ninja-K #5

London falling!

The murderous assault on MI-6 has spilled out of the shadows and onto the streets of Britain’s capital! With his would-be killer unmasked, can Ninjak grapple with the truth behind the bloodstained legacy of MI-6’s covert Ninja Programme…and an opponent with more experience, more precision, and more ruthless instincts than any he’s faced before?

Quantum and Woody #4

There are bad dads. And then there’s Rutherford Van Chelton…

They went looking for Woody’s birth father…and they’re about to wish they didn’t! Woody’s pop has left a long trail of broken promises and broken bottles behind him across the decades. Now, Quantum and Woody – the world’s worst superhero team, currently estranged – are thousands of miles from home, riding shotgun across Australia with the human dive bar that forever changed the course of both their lives. Will the senior Van Chelton convert his long-lost son to his hard-traveling ways? And can Quantum take on an older, smarter, and slightly more inebriated version of his unpredictable partner?

Valiant’s high-energy superheroes are hitting the road for a once-in-a-lifetime family reunion as rising star Daniel Kibblesmith (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and eye-popping artist Kano (Daredevil) bring “KISS KISS, KLANG KLANG” south of the equator!

]]>http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/15/march-21st-valiant-previews-ninja-k-and-quantum-and-woody/feed/0Marvel announces new Ant-Man and Wasp True Believers bookshttp://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/14/marvel-announces-new-ant-man-and-wasp-true-believers-books/
http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/14/marvel-announces-new-ant-man-and-wasp-true-believers-books/#respondWed, 14 Mar 2018 14:00:18 +0000http://brutalgamer.com/?p=128429The True Believers line returns to stands with classic tales of Ant-Man (and Giant-Man) and the Wasp. They’ll be hitting just in time for this summer’s movie, and cost you just a buck a piece. True Believers! This coming summer, July the 6th to be exact, Marvel’s size-changing hero returns to the silver screen along …

]]>The True Believers line returns to stands with classic tales of Ant-Man (and Giant-Man) and the Wasp. They’ll be hitting just in time for this summer’s movie, and cost you just a buck a piece.

True Believers!

This coming summer, July the 6th to be exact, Marvel’s size-changing hero returns to the silver screen along with the Wasp. Originally not the biggest (no pun intended) of Marvel properties, the diminutive hero had a very successful original film outing. And there’s honestly no reason not to assume that the sequel will do just as well.

Actually, it might do a fair bit better than that considering that the “lead in” film will be Infinity War next month. Audiences are more than likely going to be keyed up for more Marvel, and as fast as humanly possible.

So it’s with all that in mind that Marvel Comics is prepping this new lineup of True Believers books. The single issues are discount priced at just $1 USD, so they’re perfect for a little impulse reading. They will showcase both true classics for both characters, as well as newer tales with Scott Lang.

]]>http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/14/marvel-announces-new-ant-man-and-wasp-true-believers-books/feed/0DC announces new non-canon publishing imprint – DC Black Labelhttp://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/13/dc-announces-new-non-canon-publishing-imprint-dc-black-label/
http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/13/dc-announces-new-non-canon-publishing-imprint-dc-black-label/#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 21:38:08 +0000http://brutalgamer.com/?p=128421Not attached to the DC Universe proper is DC Black Label. The publisher’s new imprint is set to hit the ground running with stories from big names, starring major industry talent. Standalone “DC Black Label offers leading writers and artists of any industry the opportunity to tell their definitive DC stories without being confined to …

]]>Not attached to the DC Universe proper is DC Black Label. The publisher’s new imprint is set to hit the ground running with stories from big names, starring major industry talent.

Standalone

“DC Black Label offers leading writers and artists of any industry the opportunity to tell their definitive DC stories without being confined to canon,” explains executive editor Mark Doyle. “We are carefully crafting each series to fit the vision of the creative team. All of these creators are masters of their craft. I’m psyched to be working on a Wonder Woman story with Kelly Sue and Phil, helping to bring John’s vision of THE OTHER HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE to life and reuniting with some of the greatest Batman talents in the industry.”

More or less, Black Label feels a little bit like a more high-level version of the company’s old Elseworlds brand. That was a label that ran for a good long time and presented stories that were not connected to the DCU in any way. Sure they starred characters like Batman, but they were radically different that anything that you’d see normally. Like, say, a pirate Batman (yes really).

This doesn’t feel quite as radical as Elseworlds, but it nonetheless should feature some pretty interesting (and hopefully unique) stuff. Part of that is the selection of writers and artists that DC has tapped to be on board. Not all of the creative teams here are made up of industry greats, but most are. And the books that will be leading the way for DC Black Label sound like an extremely solid initial volley.

SUPERMAN: YEAR ONE from Frank Miller (THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT: MASTER RACE) and John Romita Jr. (ALL-STAR BATMAN, SUPERMAN)

A groundbreaking, definitive treatment of Superman’s classic origin story in honor of his 80th anniversary. This story details new revelations that reframe the Man of Steel’s most famous milestones—from Kal-El’s frantic exile from Krypton, to Clark Kent’s childhood in Kansas, to his inevitable rise to become the most powerful and inspiring superhero of all time.

BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, the creative team behind DARK KNIGHTS: METAL

Batman wakes up in a desert. He doesn’t know what year it is or how The Joker’s head is alive in a jar beside him, but it’s the beginning of a quest unlike anything the Dark Knight has undertaken before. In this strange future, villains are triumphant and society has liberated itself from the burden of ethical codes. Fighting to survive while in search of answers, Bruce Wayne uncovers the truth about his role in this new world—and begins the last Batman story ever told.

BATMAN: DAMNED from Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, the creative team behind JOKER

On a deserted Gotham City bridge, a body is found. Whispers spread the news: Joker is dead. But is this a dream come true or a nightmare being born? Now Batman and DC’s outlaw magician John Constantine must hunt the truth through a Gotham City hellscape. The city’s supernatural recesses are laced with hints about a killer’s identity, but the Dark Knight’s descent into horror will test his sanity and the limits of rationality, as he must face a horror that doesn’t wear a mask.

A Homeric epic of the lost history of the Amazons and Queen Hippolyta’s rise to power. Featuring monsters and myths, this three-book saga spans history from the creation of the Amazons to the moment Steve Trevor washes up on the shores of Paradise Island, changing our world forever.

It’s been 20 years since the world stopped looking to the skies for hope, help, and inspiration. Now the world keeps its eyes down, and the powers that have risen have every intention of keeping things that way. Amongst a scattered, broken resistance, a young woman seeks to reclaim what has been forgotten, and on the way will learn the truth about herself, her heritage, and her destiny.

THE OTHER HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE from John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, THE AMERICAN WAY)

A compelling literary series analyzing iconic DC moments and charting sociopolitical gains through the perspectives of DC Super Heroes who come from traditionally disenfranchised groups, including John Stewart, Extraño, Vixen, Supergirl, Katana and Rene Montoya, among others. At its core, the story focuses on the lives of those behind the costumes, and their endeavors to overcome real-world issues. It isn’t about saving the world, it’s about having the strength to simply be who you are.

]]>http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/13/dc-announces-new-non-canon-publishing-imprint-dc-black-label/feed/0American Gods: My Ainsel #1 (Comics) Previewhttp://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/13/american-gods-my-ainsel-1-comics-preview/
http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/13/american-gods-my-ainsel-1-comics-preview/#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 16:41:50 +0000http://brutalgamer.com/?p=128407Neil Gaiman’s American Gods sags continues at Dark Horse Comics in American Gods: My Ainsel. The new series has more Shadow, more Wednesday, and plenty more gods to meet. Prepare for war The TV series might be better known these days, but American Gods is forging forward with some excellent looking new books from Dark …

]]>Neil Gaiman’s American Gods sags continues at Dark Horse Comics in American Gods: My Ainsel. The new series has more Shadow, more Wednesday, and plenty more gods to meet.

Prepare for war

The TV series might be better known these days, but American Gods is forging forward with some excellent looking new books from Dark Horse Comics as well. Not that you’d probably expect any less from Neil Gaiman. He’s seemingly as high up the comic book royalty charts as you can get.

American Gods has accrued plenty of acclaim in its relatively short life, and why wouldn’t it? The premise is honestly pretty awesome. Following the mysterious unnamed god known only as Wednesday around the US, while he builds an army of the ancient divine to do battle with modern “gods” is freaking cool.

As for this new series, it’s almost as mysterious as its starting deity. I do know though, that an “Ainsel” is a “Northumbrian fairy tale”. Well, at least it is according to wikipedia. Apparently, it translates to “my own self”, which is kind of interesting.

From Gaiman, P. Craig Russell, and artist Scott Hampton, watch for American Gods: My Ainsel #1, as it hits the stands tomorrow (March 14th). Here’s the oh-so-short synopsis and preview:

]]>http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/13/american-gods-my-ainsel-1-comics-preview/feed/0Fresh Halo miniseries on the way from Dark Horse Comics and 343 Industrieshttp://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/12/fresh-halo-miniseries-way-dark-horse-comics-343-industries/
http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/12/fresh-halo-miniseries-way-dark-horse-comics-343-industries/#respondMon, 12 Mar 2018 16:00:28 +0000http://brutalgamer.com/?p=128381Head’s up Halo fans, there’s new action headed your way, and it stars the Master Chief. No, not from Microsoft, though series’ developer 343 Industries does have a hand in Dark Horse Comics’ newest miniseries. Cue the chant Dark Horse has, slowly but surely, built up a pretty deep “expanded universe” for the Halo series. …

]]>Head’s up Halo fans, there’s new action headed your way, and it stars the Master Chief. No, not from Microsoft, though series’ developer 343 Industries does have a hand in Dark Horse Comics’ newest miniseries.

Cue the chant

Dark Horse has, slowly but surely, built up a pretty deep “expanded universe” for the Halo series. As far as I know too, most all of it is in canon, which is always a nicety. I can’t tell you how annoying it is to have something that you think is canonical, as a fan, and then find out none of it is. I won’t mention what I’m referring to, though I’m sure most fans can guess.

In any event, this new Halo series (subtitled Collateral Damage) is notable for a few reasons. One, it stars the Master Chief John 117. Not every Halo tale centers itself on the game’s main protagonist, and it’s always a treat to see the stoic super-soldier in action. And second, it’s got a pretty nice creative team.

The book stars the art of Dave Crosland, who looks to be right at home in the Halo universe. Writing it will be Alex Irvine, who previously worked on the fourth issue of Halo: Rise of Atriox.

Here’s what you can expect from the first issue (of three) when Halo: Collateral Damage #1 hits the stands on June 6th:

Halo®: Collateral Damage follows the Master Chief and Blue Team as they are deployed by the UNSC to an unstable colony world. Their mission: terminate the Covenant’s efforts to uncover something ancient and powerful beneath the planet’s surface. But as the mission takes a turn for the unexpected, the Spartan strike team realizes that the stakes of their mission are higher than they realized and they’ll have to rely on each other and a small group of human rebels to survive!

]]>http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/12/fresh-halo-miniseries-way-dark-horse-comics-343-industries/feed/0One of the greatest X-Men runs of all time is getting an Artifact Edition from IDWhttp://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/09/one-greatest-x-men-runs-time-getting-artifact-edition-idw/
http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/09/one-greatest-x-men-runs-time-getting-artifact-edition-idw/#respondFri, 09 Mar 2018 20:46:25 +0000http://brutalgamer.com/?p=128354John Byrne is a name that’s synonymous with comics in general, and the X-Men in particular. And now his legendary work is getting an Artifact Edition from publisher IDW. X is next No, you’re not seeing things. This is IDW publishing Marvel stories. The two publishers have had an agreement for a while now, and …

]]>John Byrne is a name that’s synonymous with comics in general, and the X-Men in particular. And now his legendary work is getting an Artifact Edition from publisher IDW.

X is next

No, you’re not seeing things. This is IDW publishing Marvel stories. The two publishers have had an agreement for a while now, and its resulted in some memorable special edition tomes.

Beginning way back in 1977 with issue #108, Byrne worked with Chris Claremont and Terry Austin to craft the already popular X-Men into some of the biggest names in comics.

“Even after all these years, it’s the X-Men work I did with Chris and Terry that still resonates the most with fans.” said Byrne, “Hopefully when you all see the pages in this format you’ll still feel the same way!”

And it really is some format too. Artifact Editions are presented in 12″ x 17″ style, which matches the publisher’s Artist’s Edition size. Inside you’ll find over 100 pages of work, each page of which was scanned form the originals.

Artist’s Editions are not cheap however, and even though IDW hasn’t shared the MSRP on this one, it’s probably going to run over $100 USD. As you can see however, they’re pretty awesome sights to behold. So if you’re a big fan, then you might want to take a long look at this one.

Expect it in stores this coming July.

“It doesn’t get much bigger and better than John Byrne’s X-Men.” said award-winning Artist’s Edition Editor Scott Dunbier, “This truly will be an event, one absolutely not to be missed!”

One limited series hits its penultimate issue as Ninjak vs The Valiant Universe #3 lands on the stands. And on the flip side, this coming week sees the Secret Weapons spinoff Owen’s Story just start up.

Owen Cho is a conjurer…which can be a great deal more frustrating than it sounds. You see, Owen’s “psiot” ability – unlocked at great expense and even greater danger – allows him to materialize objects out of thin air…but he can’t control what to summon or when it might arrive. But what do you do with a heap of undesirable objects conjured from parts unknown, anyway? Have a garage sale, of course!

Before the Secret Weapons take center stage in HARBINGER WARS 2 this summer, witness one of the year’s most unlikely and unorthodox origin stories as Heisserer, Allén, and Martín come together once again to recount a life lived one item at a time in “Owen’s Story”!

$3.99 | 32 pgs. | VALIANT PRESTIGE | T+ | On Sale MARCH 14th

Ninjak vs The Valiant Universe #3 (of 4)

Rogue agent!

The pulse-pounding expansion of Valiant’s upcoming, live-action digital series wages its most dangerous gambit yet as Colin King – aka the international super-spy codenamed Ninjak – battles his way through his former friends and allies! Ninjak’s arch-nemesis – the deadly and cunning assassin Roku – has manipulated MI-6’s most dangerous asset into turning on his former masters and stealing an object of immeasurable power. So who can MI-6 send to stop him? EVERYONE! The bone-cracking showdown of a lifetime continues here as Ninjak battles X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Livewire, Archer & Armstrong, and all of Valiant’s most formidable heroes!

]]>http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/09/march-14th-valiant-comics-previews-owens-story-ninjak-vs-valiant/feed/0Pacific Rim Aftermath blasts into third issue of limited series this monthhttp://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/07/pacific-rim-aftermath-blasts-into-third-issue-of-limited-series-this-month/
http://brutalgamer.com/2018/03/07/pacific-rim-aftermath-blasts-into-third-issue-of-limited-series-this-month/#respondWed, 07 Mar 2018 23:08:46 +0000http://brutalgamer.com/?p=128273It’s a big year for Pacific Rim, as a second movie is on the way to theaters. But that’s not all, as there’s a limited comic series currently running, and it’s about to land issue three at retail. Kaiju! Santa Monica, 2034. In a city that was once the jewel of the west coast, a …

]]>It’s a big year for Pacific Rim, as a second movie is on the way to theaters. But that’s not all, as there’s a limited comic series currently running, and it’s about to land issue three at retail.

Kaiju!

Santa Monica, 2034. In a city that was once the jewel of the west coast, a new world has emerged: one rising up from the ashes of giant robots and giant monsters. As tensions rise in this aftermath city, disgraced pilot Griffin has an explosive reunion in a Jaeger scrapyard; a dangerous figure from the past encounters the mysterious Sisters of the Kaiju; and Jake Pentecost takes one step closer to unlocking the key to his father’s past.

The six-part series is a gritty action adventure that explores a new criminal underworld born in an age of monsters and mechs and is an unmissable story for all PACIFIC RIM fans.

That’s the synopsis for Pacific Rim: Aftermath, the official comic book prequel to the upcoming movie sequel. The book isn’t too far along either, so for Pacific Rim fans looking to catch up, well you don’t have much of it to do.

The series is set to run a total of six issues, and started up right at the top of this year. That means part three is scheduled to arrive on stands later this month. Also kind of neat is that it’s one of the first offerings (I think) from Legendary itself. That’s right, the movie house behind the films is doing the publishing.

They’re getting things off on a good note too, as this one has a very nice creative squad behind it. Writing is Cavan Scott, who you probably know best from Star Wars: Adventures. The artist is Richard Elson, who’s worked on stuff like Amazing Spiderman: Dying Wish and Wolverine: Savage. Pretty big names there.

Speaking of, this book also benefits from a collaboration with Pacific Rim writer and director Steven S. DeKnight, as well as star (and producer) John Boyega. So if you’re a fan, this is one that you probably don’t want to skip out on.

As for the big screen flick, Pacific Rim Uprising lands pretty darn soon too. Expect it on March 23rd.